According to Fodor’s travel magazine, the St. Lucia Pitons is among the “10 most Instagrammable spots in the Caribbean”.
Now that’s a worthy Accolade!
The Pitons are a must-see if you’re visiting St. Lucia for the first time.
And,
If you’re adventurous, from the summit of these majestic mountains, you’ll get to see the most sensational views of St Lucia.
The twin peaks that are the pitons are aptly named Gros piton and Petit piton.
And get this,
They are in the town of Soufriere, where many other fun visitor attractions await.
The Geography of the St. Lucia Pitons
The St. Lucia Piton mountains rise majestically from the Caribbean Sea off the southwestern coast of St Lucia, between the districts of Soufriere and Choiseul.
Gros Piton rises (771 m / 2,619 ft) and Petit Piton mesures (743 m / 2,461 ft) above sea level.
You will find these two peaks on the two sides of Sugar Beach (Jalousie Plantation Beach), one of the unique beaches in St. Lucia.
The St. Lucia Piton mountains were forged a very long time ago by volcanic activity.
They’re two volcanic plugs.
The volcanic activity that created the Pitons is still very evident in the town of Soufriere.
In Soufriere, you will also find the world’s only drive-in volcano – the Sulphur Springs.
Because of the historical and scientific significance of the Pitons in St. Lucia, they were awarded world heritage site status in the Year 2004.
Flora and Fauna on the St. Lucia Pitons
Do you love nature and wildlife?
Well, if you take on the Gros Piton hike, you’ll be right in the midst of it.
According to the Piton Management area, many of the 22 reptiles and 33 amphibian species in St. Lucia can be found within the piton management area.
Two of these species have been identified endemic to the area.
The St. Lucia Piton mountains are also home to 5 endemic bird species amongst the 27 bird species found there.
According to Wikipedia, there are approximately 148 plant species identified on Gros Piton and 97 plant species identified on Petit Piton.
Gros Piton
Gros Piton is the second-highest mountain in St Lucia after Mount Gimie.
It’s the larger of the twin peaks, and it is between Sugar Beach and Anse Lvrogne beach.
If you look at a map of St. Lucia, you will see it at the very end of the Soufriere district bordering the community Choiseul.
You can Hike Gros Piton without prior mountaineering experience because there’s a well-maintained trail to the summit.
The avid adventurer can reach the summit and back to the base of the mountain in less than 6 hours.
If you’re interested in hiking Gros Piton, there are well-trained guides to accompany you on the hike.
You can reserve a guide for about USD 50 at the base of the mountain in one of the Piton Management area offices.
Or,
You can also reserve a Gros Piton hike through a touring company in St. Lucia that provides Gros Piton hike excursions.
Petit Piton
Petit Piton is between sugar beach and malgretoute beach – south of the Soufriere bay.
Like any other mountain, you can climb Petit Piton.
But,
It’s a “whole different animal” to conquer than Gros Piton.
Climbing Petit piton is more challenging since it’s a lot steeper, and the existing trail is very unforgiving to the inexperienced mountaineer.
The first person to claim Petit Piton was Abdome Deligny in 1878.
After that, many other adventurers have reached the summit.
There are excursions for climbing Petit piton for the most adventurous of travelers.
Petit Piton’s summit provides the most astonishing views of Soufriere and beyond.
From the summit, one can see St. Lucia’s neighboring islands – Martinique to the north and St. Vincent to the south.
Hiking Gros Piton
The hike to the summit of Gros Piton is one of St Lucia’s most sought after excursions.
But,
To do this excursion, you have to be of reasonably good physical fitness.
The trek to the summit of Gros Piton is called “a hike.”
However,
There are a few sections of the mountain that is steep and requires you to do minimal climbing.
If you’re a first-timer, it will be a challenge.
But, our local St. Lucia guides are there to help you at every step of the trek.
The guides who climb Gros Piton almost daily maintain the nature trail.
And, to make the hike a bit easier, handrails have been installed at various points on the trail.
Wooden ladders and ropes have also available at the steeper parts of the trail.
The ladders and ropes make the accent a bit easier if you’re not an experienced adventurer.
If you’re not fully fit, you will get tired during the hike.
But worry not, there are wooden benches installed at designated resting points along the trail.
Tips Before you Start the Gros Piton Hike
The trailhead for the Gros Piton hike begins in the community of Fond Gen Libres.
You can reserve your guide at the base of the Gros Piton hiking Trail, which opens at around 8 a.m.
It’s a good idea to start the hike as early as possible as the blazing St. Lucian sun can be very unforgiving.
Also, check your weather forecast and opt for doing the hike on a dry day.
A wet trail makes the hike even more challenging.
You should also have a light meal before starting the hike, but ensure that it’s something that will give you a boost of energy.
What to Expect on Your Gros Piton Hike
Now, despite how easy your tour operator might make climbing Gros Piton sound, you need to be prepared for the challenge.
If you do not exercise regularly and you’re not fit, I guarantee you that you’ll feel a stent of tiredness within the first 20 minutes of the climb.
And, at some point, it will be a struggle; however, you need to stay focused on reaching the summit.
It’s a good idea to do the Gros Piton hike with a group of people who can give you some encouragement if the trek becomes a challenge.
The Rewarding Experiences from Hiking Gros Piton
When you get to the top of Gros Piton, you’ll be rewarded with jaw-dropping views of st. Lucia.
Even if you’re a seasoned mountaineer, the experience that awaits you at the summit of Gros Piton is a once-in-a-lifetime.
So, don’t forget to bring a good camera that can capture views at the top in the best detail possible.
To look back and reminisce on photos of the Gros Piton climb can be a great source of motivation.
And,
It’s proof to your friends and family that you climbed a mountain.
Photo ops from the top of Gros Piton make for engaging posts for your social media.
The Descent of the Gros Piton Hike
The hike down from Gros Piton can be just as challenging as the accent.
The Descent will apply heavy pressure on your legs, so take your time and don’t be hurried by anyone in your pack.
Descending the mountain at your paste will help you avoid any slip and falls that may cause injury.
Once you’re back at the base of the mountain, you’ll feel a strong sense of accomplishment.
Be sure to stop and look back at the summit to appreciate the accomplishment of conquering Gros Piton.
So how many miles is the Gros Piton hike?
The Gros Piton hike is 4 miles to the summit and back.
From the trailhead, you will climb roughly 2400 feet (731.52) to get to the very top.
Depending on factors like your past, physical fitness, and the weather conditions, it can take between 4 – 6 hours to complete the entire hike.
The Pitons in St. Lucian Culture
The Pitons are St Lucia’s most iconic landmarks.
When you visit St. Lucia, one of the things you’ll instantly notice is images and artwork of the pitons everywhere.
You’ll find it on apparel, carvings, art & craft, posters, billboards and, every other company logo in St Lucia.
St. Lucia’s Piton Beer
Yes, St. Lucia’s local Piton beer is named after the Pitons, and you will see the artwork of the pitons on its branding.
Our piton beer is light, refreshing, and is loved by people the world over.
It’s the perfect beer for your cooler on a hot St. Lucia day trip.
Even if you’re not interested in climbing the Pitons, tours that feature a trip to the pitons are most popular in St. Lucia.
And rightly so.
These majestic mountains are one of the many things that make St. Lucia such a magical place to visit.
And that’s why the Pitons in St. Lucia is one of the 10 most instagrammable spots in the Caribbean.
Damian is a co-founder, editor, and author at Islanderkeys. He is also a dedicated father and husband. Damian is an IT Manager / Web developer by profession, but he loves to Blog and share his knowledge about St. Lucia in travel forums.
